Game crashes to desktop after hitting play on launcher

Issue Type (Required):

Crash - on Launch

Issue Description (Required):

After I hit play on the launcher the screen goes black then crashes to my desktop. Can’t even get to the main menu. Retried multiple times, verified all files twice, and reinstalled the game. Can’t run it at all.

[PC] Do You Use Mods? (Optional):

No, I don’t use mods

Reproduction Rate (Required):

Constant (100%)

Platform (Required):

PC - Steam

[PC] Crash Report (Optional):

GUID: 53a5bc0a-07a9-4189-800b-3bd84947fbe8
Log File:
Info Type:

[Engine Error]: HRESULT: 0x80004005 = E_FAIL, assert: shader '#ID[2ebb406a]'

At D:\a\d\rel_engine_darktide\release\2025_08_20_Patch1.9.x\runtime\d3d12_render_device\d3d12_debug.cpp:1550 in function stingray::aftermath::d3d_assert


Hi Solar, it looks like your GPU drivers date back to 2017! Please perform a clean re-installation of your GPU drivers using the instructions here:

[PC] How to Perform a Clean Re-Installation of Your AMD GPU Drivers

Okay thank you. I’ll try it as soon as I can.